Bins and pot holes cause strife

DANGEROUS driving conditions caused by people leaving wheelie bins on the sides of narrow roads have upset a McIntosh Creek Road resident.

The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, recently told The Gympie Times he was concerned for the safety of drivers as wheelie bins had been left out on non-collection days.

He said the narrow road was supposed to be a two-way thoroughfare but some bins left on the side of the road meant there was only space for one vehicle at a time.

The resident was also concerned about the amount of pot holes on the road, especially near the Calico Creek Road intersection.

When The Gympie Times went to investigate, one set of bins had been left, allowing only enough space for one car to drive past.

A Cleanaway spokesperson said there had been no complaints or problems reported from Cleanaway drivers working on McIntosh Creek Road.

Wheelie bins need to be left on the kerb for pick up, but the boom could reach 1.8 metres if obstructions like cars were in the way of collection, the spokesperson said.

Where there is no kerb, bins should be placed about 3 – 3.2m from the centre of the road as rubbish removal trucks are 2.4m wide.

But if that won’t work, other arrangements can be made for bins to be placed in safer locations.

If collection is along a dirt road, the spokesperson said, bins should be positioned in a safe and accessible location not only for waste vehicles but also for fellow residents and motorists.

Another thing to consider, they said, was taking care, using common sense and being practical on rural roads.

Gympie Regional Council Works and Services Committee chairman Larry Friske said he hadn’t heard any complaints about bins being left out but expected bins wouldn’t be left where they could be a danger.

He encouraged people to keep bins back near their fence line except on collection days.

Cr Friske said council was aware of the pot holes along McIntosh Creek Road and would be attending to them soon; he reminded people to drive to conditions.

Officer in Charge of the Gympie Police District Traffic Branch Peter Webster said he hadn’t received any complaints, but bins should not be left on a carriageway.